New York Knicks Trade Rumors: Brandon Jennings The Primary Trade Target For Knicks

New York Knicks trade rumors indicate the team wants to acquire Brandon Jennings. Knicks trade rumors are ramping up because on Tuesday, December 15, 10 players on the roster become tradeable. A report from the New York Post states that the Knicks are looking to improve at the point guard position, with Brandon Jennings on the short list of potential candidates.

Free agents that were signed and draft picks selected in the offseason cannot be traded until December 15, meaning the front office has had to wait to make any major moves. The players who will become available are Kristaps Porzingis, Jerian Grant, Derrick Williams, Robin Lopez, Kyle O’Quinn, Kevin Seraphin, Sasha Vujacic, Arron Afflalo, Lance Thomas, and Lou Amundson. It is expected that Porzingis is untouchable, and that the team has no inclination to deal Lopez, though.

What makes these New York Knicks trade rumors interesting is that Brandon Jennings hasn’t played yet this season. The point guard for the Detroit Pistons is trying to battle back from an Achilles injury and has already lost his job in the process. The Pistons gave (former) backup point guard Reggie Jackson a multi-year deal worth around $80 million over the next five NBA seasons.

Jennings is in the final season of a three-year, $24 million contract. He is due just over $8.3 million for the season before he heads into NBA free agency. He could serve as a good backup for the Pistons, unless the team is set on adding younger pieces for the future. Currently, the Pistons are 14-11 and sit as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, so the team isn’t looking to completely rebuild again.

With the NBA salary cap set at $70 million for the 2015-16 season, the Pistons are still over it by a bit. Current salaries for the team come in at just about $85.9 million, suggesting the front office wouldn’t turn down a chance to get below the cap and avoid potential luxury tax penalties. Currently, the Knicks are slightly over the cap, as well, so any deal between New York and Detroit would require similar salary totals to get exchanged.

One player mentioned in several New York Knicks trade rumors has been rookie point guard Jerian Grant. While he could be a player for the team to develop, he may also not play into the short-term plans of the franchise. Appearing in 24 games this season, Grant has averaged 17.2 minutes, 5.5 points, and 2.5 assists per game. He is shooting just 38.1 percent from the field, though, and not holding the position down as well as coach Derek Fisher would like.

At 11-14 and sitting outside of the current playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks may have to make moves to get back in the race. It would seem that Carmelo Anthony, Robin Lopez, and rookie Kristaps Porzingis are untouchable assets on the roster. With a number of players on one-year deals, though, like Kyle O’quinn, Kevin Seraphin, Louis Amundson, Sasha Vujacic, and Cleanthony Early, the team could offer up a pick or two to go along with several role players.

The Knicks aren’t just limited to making deals with the Detroit Pistons, even if Brandon Jennings is readily available. The team could use some of those one-year contracts to absorb a player that another franchise is trying to trade. Veteran players on the New Orleans Pelicans, LA Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets could also become available very soon. Fans should expect that these fresh New York Knicks trade rumors lead to some action from the front office, especially with the team actively looking for another option at point guard.

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